Short Term Rentals

The Town will be evaluating the by-law one year after its effective date to determine if changes are necessary.

• A Bed and Breakfast means an owner-occupied, single detached dwelling unit in which guest rooms, which may include private sanitary facilities but may not include in-room cooking facilities, provide temporary sleeping accommodation to the travelling or vacationing public for compensation to the owner of the dwelling unit and which may or may not include the provision of meals.
• Short Term Rental means a single detached dwelling unit, that in whole or in part, is rented or available for rent for an occupancy period of not more than 28 consecutive days but shall not include a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, motel or any other use otherwise defined by this By-law.
• A Bed and Breakfast does not require an STR License. Bed and Breakfasts are subject to a separate license, please contact the By-law Department for more information.

Licenses are valid for one (1) year and are renewed in the month of May of each year. For the first year of operation, licenses issued on or before May 1, 2023 are valid until May 1, 2024. For example, if you obtain a STR license in January 2023, your license will be valid until May 1, 2024.

A license application fee is $500 for an STR with two (2) rooms or less and $900 for an STR with three (3) rooms or more. A license is renewed annually and the same application fees apply for each renewal.

• STRs can operate within the SA1, SA2, RU and DW zones in the Town. Consult the Zoning Map to view these areas. STRs may operate in other zones, subject to compliance with the provisions for legal non-conforming uses in the Town Zoning By-law 2022-17.

The licensing program was initiated by the Town through a referral item by Council to address community concerns and to ensure all rentals operate safely in accordance with Town By-laws, the Fire Protection Standards, and the Ontario Building Code. Further background information and reports on the project are available on connectpenetanguishene.ca.

When a contravention to the by-law occurs, a fine may be issued in accordance with Schedule D of the Licensing By-law or in accordance with the Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) By-Law 2022-60. A license may be revoked or suspended where three (3) or more contraventions or complaints have been received by the Town within a six (6) month period or where four (4) or more contraventions or complaints have been received by the Town within a twelve (12) month period. The validity of a complaint is at the discretion of the Officer based on an investigation of the complaint.

The By-law will be administered through the Town’s By-law department and through the external services of Granicus Host Compliance. The Town anticipates hiring a new STR License Coordinator in 2023 help administer the by-law and respond to complaints.

The Town will conduct a review of the By-law after one (1) year of its implementation. If you have questions or if you have a suggestion on how the by-law can be improved, please submit by email to planning@penetanguishene.ca. 

Let us know here, planning@penetanguishene.ca

• The Town of Penetanguishene uses Granicus Host Compliance for 24/7 support. All complaints submitted through are provided to the Town’s By-law Enforcement department to take actions pursuant to the regulations of the By-law.
• To submit a complaint regarding an STR please use the online complaint form or call or text the 24/7 hotline at 705-980-0015.

Upon submission of a complaint, the STR operator is immediately contacted by Granicus to resolve the issue. All complaints are monitored by the Town’s By-law Enforcement department to take actions pursuant to the regulations of the By-law. The complainant can request to receive updates regarding the status of the complaint.

The cost to appeal a decision made by a licensing officer pertaining to revoking, denying, or suspending a short-term rental accommodation license and to be heard by the licensing committee is $500.00 per appeal.

No, it is not necessary to obtain legal counsel throughout the appeal process, it is up to the defendant whether legal counsel is wanted or required.

The online PDF of the appeal form by licensing committee can be filled out and submitted to start the appeal process. A printable version may also be completed and filed to the Town’s Clerk to start the process as well. This needs to be completed within 14 days of the date located on the top of the notice. Payment will be due upon completing the application, and the licensing officer will contact you by phone or email to arrange a hearing date within 14 days of the submission of the application.

If the appeal is denied by the committee, the written notice of decision will be sent to the mailing address associated with the property in review. The appeal is final and binding and is not subject to further review. Any payments due will need to be submitted within 14 days of the decision date.

The process is not too lengthy if the appropriate forms are submitted within the allotted time frame. The earlier the forms are submitted, the faster the process commences. Estimated time would be 4-6 weeks from the application to the final decision